DavieB Posted July 12, 2010 Report Share Posted July 12, 2010 Anybody interested in reprising the run which was proposed by Richard a couple of weeks ago - called off due to the Monsoon season. The route being ...to quote Richard: Erskine Bridge > Drymen > Gartmore > Aberfoyle > Duke's Pass > Loch Venachar > Callander > Braes of Greenock > Gartmore > Drymen > Cycle Route 7 > Home. I reckon that's about 77 miles bridge to bridge. There are some decent climbs in there; beautiful scenery, too. I've been on most of those roads at one time or another. The single track between Drymen and Gartmore would be new to me. I've included it because it would take us away from the traffic on the main road and it looks OK on Google Streetview. Go for an earlier start 08:15 at club rooms - but stress somebody else (Richard?) would have to navigate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Richard Posted July 12, 2010 Members Report Share Posted July 12, 2010 I'm happy to navigate if people want to do the Loch Venachar run. There would be some changes to the route, though. The road to Drymen is probably a bad idea for a big bunch of mixed ability. It's hilly and the traffic passes close and fast. I only included it as a means of getting to the hitherto unexplored single track to Gartmore. But this is no longer an unknown entity. I checked it out with a pal last week. "Non-trivial" is the nicest way of describing the climb out of Drymen, and the road is strewn with gravel. We'd make faster, smoother progress by heading down the newly resurfaced A81. Yes, it's a busy road, too, but the traffic will have more room to go round us and the miles won't be as hard on the legs. Post if you're game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions David Thomson Posted July 13, 2010 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted July 13, 2010 I'l be out for this. Looking forward to eventually going up the Dukes Pass. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions ginty001 Posted July 15, 2010 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted July 15, 2010 Sounds good to me, i'll meet up at the Erskine bridge around 8.50...... Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Richard Posted July 16, 2010 Members Report Share Posted July 16, 2010 I'll be on the north side of the bridge at nine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavieB Posted July 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2010 Will be at club rooms at 08:15. Anybody else planning to meet here(?), before heading to the bridge. Weather forecast looking "reasonable" at present and hopefully the wind will die down a bit. Davie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al yuille Posted July 17, 2010 Report Share Posted July 17, 2010 Will be on North side of Bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Cowden Posted July 17, 2010 Report Share Posted July 17, 2010 I would like to join in for this run - will meet up with Iain McGinty and see you on the south side of the bridge. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Richard Posted July 17, 2010 Members Report Share Posted July 17, 2010 Will be on North side of Bridge. Aren't you in Oz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al yuille Posted July 17, 2010 Report Share Posted July 17, 2010 Was missing the rain - warmer and drier in the middle of a Sydney winter than it was here today ! BTW not been on a bike for 4 weeks now so no showing off on Dukes ! See you tmw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Richard Posted July 17, 2010 Members Report Share Posted July 17, 2010 Holidays always pass so quickly... Don't worry about your fitness, though. I've been prepping for this ride by avoiding my bike and embracing cider and fish suppers. See you in the morning :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Richard Posted July 18, 2010 Members Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 Mary, you dodged a bullet missing that ride, let me tell you. Jim came out to show us how it should be done (and that boozing and cycling are not compatible activities.) The route changed a bit on the day: Bridge > Hardgate > Milngavie > Strathblane > Duke's Pass > Loch Achray > Loch Venachar > Callander > Thornhill > Kippen > Top Of The World > Balfron > KIllearn > Strathblane > Milngavie. Mr D led the way and Al, Davie, Ian and I tried to hang on. 87 miles for me door to door. I'm properly shattered. Have you got Garmin data for that one, Davie? I want to use statistics to confirm how brutal it was. Special mention to Ian McGinty. He's looking strong - not just on the flat bits, mind. He strolled some of those hills. Thanks, lads. See you next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Cowden Posted July 18, 2010 Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 Glad you all had a good day! Hope you don't think the failed windscreen wipers was an excuse - certainly couldn't use it a second time! As plan B, went out on tour in Renfrewshires and Ayrshire with the Eastwood Toll brigade. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions ginty001 Posted July 18, 2010 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 Great day out in the Trossachs in mixed weather, with fine company to boot... Not sure about strolling up any hills Richard, but if my climbing has improved i must thank my personal coach Colin Howard, oh, and my new compact chainset Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavieB Posted July 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 Great day... route details for the hardcore that actually done 120 miles (oh that was just me ) as follows : http://connect.garmin.com/activity/40933895 Wasn't breaking any records after 100miles as Jim and Ian will testify. Davie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al yuille Posted July 18, 2010 Report Share Posted July 18, 2010 Cheers guys. Tough shift for me today - great route though and some fabulous scenery which I had plenty of time to enjoy ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin H Posted July 19, 2010 Report Share Posted July 19, 2010 Ian, Glad those Tuesday/Thursday runs are paying dividends. You were certainly giving it some last Tuesday on our run. 33 degrees here in Alcudia at 1900 and at least 2 local bike shops within 100 yards of our hotel. If only I had brought my shoes pedals and helmet Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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